{ Library Hopping }

We rotate between a few local libraries: Small Town Library & Smaller Town Library. Sometimes we get crazy and bold and we venture into The Outer Ring Suburban Library. The vast supply of books is slightly claustrophobic. It’s fun to visit, but I wouldn’t want to *live there.*

In celebration of National Library Week, I’d like to acquaint you with our two closest Minnesota libraries: ~ Small Town Library and Smaller Town Library.

1. Small Town Library

Small Town Library takes up a whole floor of a historic school, originally built in 1932. Librarian Jacci is friendly, and her enthusiastic, capable daughter Gabi is second in command. They are a good team.

There’s a Lego club and a book club and an old schoolroom where you can buy used books on the honor system.

Over the Christmas season, the library staff fills the spacious flooring with a dozen large, artificial trees.

Each tree is decorated to reflect a different holiday.

(This is impressive to me, the queen of reluctant decorating.)

2. Smaller Town Library

Smaller Town Librarian often wears shorts, tees and sweatshirts. There’s a Keurig machine in the corner. Candy and scratch-n-sniff bookmarks sit on the shelf for everyone to help themselves. You can study in this library if you like, but you might want to settle toward the back of the building. If you don’t, you will be sucked in to the friendly conversation and cheerful banter that happens every day. The library staff knows and loves you, so there’s no need to bring your library card to check out books.

This gem is more like a local watering hole than a stuffy library. Head librarian Lisais an untiring listener with a quick wit and laugh. The walls explode with seasonal decorations, applied to the walls by dedicated, fun-loving helpers.